Crater Rim
Drive encircles Kilauea Caldera. Travel from lush forest to a
seemingly barren desert. Stop at Jagger Museum for a spectacular view.
Park bike at pullouts and parking lots to take short hikes to volcanic
features including Halema'uma'u Crater. The smell of sulfur reminds
you that you are at one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Paved hiker/biker trails are located on the rim between Jagger Museum
and KMC (1a) and along Waldron Ledge Trail (1b). Stay alert when
cycling in the rain forest because the road is narrow and winding with
limited visibility. The best time to ride is early in the morning and
late afternoon.

The Escape
Road descends through dense rain forest, across a 1973 lava flow to
the Mauna Ulu parking lot. Suitable only for mountain bikes, this
unpaved rough road is the "escape route" for evacuation if
lava should cover the main roads. Start either at Thurston Lava Tube
or one mile east of the park entrance on Highway 11, opposite Old
Volcano Road. Close all gates to keep pigs from entering the rain
forest. Return via Chain of Craters Road and Crater Rim Drive. A
toilet is located at the Mauna Ulu parking lot.

This narrow
paved road winds downhill over small fault scarps and old lava flows
through the Ka'u Desert to the Hilina Pali Overlook. The overlook at
road's end offers views 2,000' down to the coastal flats. This area
can be hot, dry, and windy. The road is sometimes closed to most cars
due to high fire danger, making it more attractive for biking. Watch
for traffic on blind curves. Vigorous return uphill. Toilets but no
water are located at Kulanaokuaiki Campground and at the overlook.

Four and a
half miles down the Chain of Craters Road turn onto a service road and
pass through the locked gate. Stay on the signed route. The rough road
descends 800' in 2.7 mi (4.4 km) toward the Keauhou hiking trail, with
great views of the coastal plain. This route can be very hot and dry.
Vigorous return uphill. Check at the Kilauea Visitor Center on the
status of this route.

Descend
3,700' (1128 m) through remnants of native forest, across vast lava
flows from the eruption of Mauna Ulu, to the coastal plains. The road
ends at the 2001 lava flows. Be aware of gusty winds and volcanic air
pollution along the Chain of Craters Road. Ascent is challenging
because it is hot, windy, and steep; consider arranging transportation
back up. A toilet, but no water is available at the end of the road
and at Mauna Ulu parking area.

The Mauna Loa
Road climbs 2600' (790 m) up the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano, through
koa woodlands, and over prehistoric lava flows. The road ends at
6,662' (2031 m) elevation where, weather permitting, you will be
rewarded with a panoramic view of Kilauea. Watch your speed as you
descend the narrow curvy road as cars often cut blind corners and it
is difficult to negotiate hairpin turns at high speed. A gated road
spur on Crater Rim Drive between KMC and Kilauea Overlook provides a
shortcut to Mauna Loa Road. Parking is available at Kipuka Puaulu, 1.3
miles (2 km) up Mauna Loa Road. Toilets but no water are located at
Kipuka Puaulu picnic ground and at the end of the road. This road may
be closed to most cars during times of high fire danger.

Short but
sweet, this difficult-to-find spur begins 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from 6b Spur
Road. Look for grassy truck tracks that climb a small knoll in the
dense koa forest. It ends abruptly at the Keamoku 'a'a lava flow from
Mauna Loa.